A Synthesis Of Different Psychological Learning Theories? Piaget . . .

This paper begins by describing a study that showed that when interviewing high-achieving high school pupils about their cognitive learning, single pupils can say things that are supported by different theories. The paper then discusses how Piaget and Vygotsky commented on each other's work. Then the paper continues with a discussion of the epistemological and ontological basis of constructivism and activity theory, respectively. It is then discussed if accepting a learning theory implies an ontological commitment. Then the paper discusses various ways of overcoming the differences between the theories, and here the concepts of synthesis, grand theory, and complementarity are discussed. It is concluded that in terms of the various theories within the psychology of learning mathematics a concept of "odd complementarity" might be useful, for no